Take Lead in Fight Against FMD, Africans told

Africans should take the lead in the fight against Foot and Mouth Diseases (FMD), and trade in livestock products to thrive.

This is because European countries no longer report cases of FMD apart from Asia and Africa.

For Uganda, the strategy has been vaccination, however, this is only carried out in high-risk areas such as borders with neighbouring countries and areas surrounding game Parks, said the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Bright Rwamirama.

The Minister said this while officiating at the three-day Global Foot and Mouth Disease Research Alliance which started on Wednesday, November 08.

The meeting attracted researchers, veterinary and academia to address existing gaps in the management of foot and mouth disease.

According to Rwamirama, FMD is one of the transboundary diseases that are still a problem to Uganda’s livestock sector because of the cross-border movement of livestock and also proximity to national parks that have animals like buffalos that spread FMD.

“Unfortunately, FMD is not a challenge in Europe, but in Asia and Africa. We still have pockets of FMD and infections around the place. Africans should take the lead in finding the solution to FMD,” said Rwamirama.

The other initiatives include sensitization of pastoral communities, against uncontrolled movement of livestock.

“From the meeting Uganda researchers are expected to learn best practices of managing foot and mouth diseases from developed countries, knowledge to understand what is going on globally in terms of vaccine development, and compare management practices among others,” added Samuel Wakhusuma from the World Organization for Animal Health as a sub-regional head for Eastern Africa.
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